Basilan ambush condemned, victims get financial aid

The government and some non-government groups have condemned the recent violence in Mindanao, including Wednesday’s Basilan ambush in Sumisip that killed six persons and wounded 22 others.

Initial reports said that a convoy of workers of a rubber plantation, Tumajubong Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Integrated Development Council (TARBIDC), was traveling along Barangay Sapah Bulak at around 6am when it was attacked by lawless elements.

Another ambush in Lamitan has claimed the lives of five persons and wounded thirty others, including eight soldiers securing the re-registration of voters in areas under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The Philippine National Police (PNP) in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is currently conducting a thorough investigation of the Basilan ambush.

Meanwhile, ARMM OIC-Governor Mujiv Hataman released on Thursday financial assistance of over half-a-million pesos to the victims of the ambush in Sumisip.

According to reports, families of victims who died received P50,000 each while eight of those wounded received P20,000 each. The rest of the victims who were slightly injured received P10,000 each.

The financial aid was sourced from his discretionary fund, Hataman reportedly said.